Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.

Nora Owen

Question:

444 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the outstanding payments to GPs for vaccinations and immunisation programmes; the reason these payments have not been made; when they will be made; and if he will make a statement on the failure to provide for these payments on time. [9425/02]

Nora Owen

Question:

446 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason bonus payments have not been made to general practitioners for more than four years where general practitioners exceeded vaccination targets for which 15% of the fee was to be paid. [9427/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 446 together.

General practitioners enter into contracts with the health boards for the provision of the primary immunisation programme to children up to the age of two years. The contracting general practitioners are be entitled to payment under this programme in three stages as follows: (a) on registration of child with a general practitioner; (b) on completion course of immunisation against DTaP/DT, Hib, polio, meningococcal C and MMR; (c) where the contracting general practitioner has achieved 95% uptake level in respect of the defined child population.

In respect of (b) payment is issued to general practitioners in respect of registered children, on receipt of notification of completion of the course against DtaP/DT: Hib: polio and meningococcal C. In respect of (c) contracting general practitioners are entitled to bonus payments for each calendar year where they achieve a 95% uptake in respect of the cohort of children on their panel who reach their second birthday during that year. This payment is due within three months following the calendar year in which uptake levels are calculated.

General practitioners enter into a contract with their health boards, and if payment has not been made to them they should raise the issue of outstanding payment with the appropriate health board. My department is not aware of any problems in respect of the payments referred to at (a) and (b). However, if the Deputy wishes to forward any further details, my Department will raise this matter with the appropriate health board.

Officials of my Department recently met representatives of the Irish Medical Organisation concerning the issue of outstanding bonus payments and agreed to take the matter up with the health boards. While some health boards have indicated that they are experiencing difficulties in relation to bonus payments, I understand they are currently addressing these difficulties. My Department wrote recently to the boards indicating that it is imperative that any outstanding bonus payments are processed and paid as a matter of urgency.

Nora Owen

Question:

445 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many general practitioners have not been paid for discretionary medical cards, asylum seekers, secretary and nurse payments, and for over 70s medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that all general practitioners may not have been paid in full the moneys due to them in respect of services being provided for discretionary medical card holders, asylum seekers and their practice support allowances. However, arrangements are being made with the health boards, the GMS (Payments) Board and other Government departments to secure the information necessary to process the outstanding amounts and expedite the payments to the relevant doctors.

Question No. 446 answered with Question No. 444.